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Press Release: IMF to Hold Town Hall Meetings with Students in Latin America

February 27, 2014

Press Release No. 14/73
February 27, 2014

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) First Deputy Managing Director David Lipton and Roubini Global Economics’ Chairman Nouriel Roubini will take part in a series of town hall-style events in universities in Mexico, Peru and Chile next week to discuss the key challenges facing the world economy and Latin America and how they affect the prospects for youth in the region. The events — titled "Latin-American Economy and Future: The Youth's Voice" — will be an opportunity to exchange views with students on strategies for addressing those challenges, and to hear directly from students about their concerns and priorities for the future.

“I am looking forward talking with young people in Mexico, Peru and Chile. Almost one in every five persons in Latin America is between 15-24 years old, and the economic policy decisions made today could have long-lasting effects for them. It is critical that we engage with this important segment of society; that we listen to their aspirations and views on the issues affecting them,” said Mr. Lipton.

“Latin America has come out relatively unscathed from the global financial crisis and has benefitted from an incredible decade of growth. There are still areas that policy makers need to address, however. I am interested in hearing what the students think are the next big objectives for the region as we enter a potentially more volatile and less benign phase for Latin America,” said Mr. Roubini.

These Latin American youth events are part of a series of activities the IMF has planned in the region in the run-up to the IMF / World Bank Annual Meetings in Peru in 2015, known as the Road to Lima.

The first event takes place at the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico’s main campus in Mexico City on March 3. It will be followed by a town hall at the Universidad del Pacifico in Lima on March 5. An event at the Universidad de Chile on March 7 will conclude the trip. Students from other public and private universities have also been invited to join the town halls in the three cities. The events will be broadcast live on IMF.org.

Essay contest

The town halls are being organized in conjunction with an essay contest that the IMF is launching across Latin America on the topic of “Latin-America’s Economy and the Future: The Youth’s Voice”. The competition, organized with Latin American partners, is open to students and youth who live in Latin America. Essays must be written in English, Spanish or Portuguese. The deadline for entries is May 30, 2014.

The winners of the essay contest will be invited to participate in the IMF’s 2014 Annual Meetings in Washington DC, which will take place October 10-12. The winning essays will also be posted on the IMF’s website.

“We look forward to receiving many interesting and thought-provoking essays about how to build a brighter future for Latin America for all generations,” Mr. Lipton concluded.